MT. KERINCI ADVENTURE and KERINCI VILLAGE LIFE UP CLOSE

Towering over the Sumatran landscape, Mt. Kerinci demands respect. At 3805 meters tall, it’s the highest active volcano in Southeast Asia, and even rises above the iconic Mt. Fuji in Japan. Trekking up its forested slopes, protected in the Kerinci Seblat National Park, is extremely challenging as there are no switchbacks – it’s just straight up to the top along a ridge trail. But the views at the top are truly unbeatable, making the struggle and sweat worth it.

Day 1 – Up into the Clouds

Leave your lodging in the morning to begin your climb with a guide & porter. On the way to the trail head, don’t forget to turn around and see the incredible view of the beautiful Kayu Aro tea plantation, rice fields, the Rawa Bento wetlands, and Mt. Tujuh off in the distance. Once in the forest, be on the lookout for Yellow-handed Mitered Langurs (our endemic, orange leaf monkeys), lizards, and birds. You’ll hear the enchanting song of Siamang gibbons, and if you’re really lucky, you might even spot a family of them. After about 8 hours of hiking you will make camp.

Day 2 – On Top of the World

Before the sun rises, scramble an additional two hours up the scree and rubble until you reach the crater. Bask in the views. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see lava bubbling far below in the bottom of the crater, and on a clear day you can see all the way to the Indian ocean to your west. Congratulations, you’re now the tallest person on Sumatra! After a little while, carefully make your way back down the mountain, making your way out of the jungle after about six hours.

KERINCI VILLAGE LIFE UP CLOSE

Day 3 – Sungai Penuh

After breakfast, Visit the sugar processing ‘factory’ (really just some people in a shed pressing and boiling raw sugar cane juice).

Explore the coffee farms that are switching over to organic Arabica coffee with the help of a local NGO.

Walk through the endless green tea fields and take a tour of the old Netherland tea factory in village of Bedeng VIII (Delapan).

Eat lunch in KORINTJI HERITAGE cafe, in the Town of the Pungai Penuh.

grab a Bendi (horse drawn carriage) through the old neighborhood of Pondok Tinggi filled with traditional Kerinci longhouses. Head to the nearby Mesjid Agung. Built in the traditional style in 1874, it’s the oldest mosque in town, and still actively used.

up to Bukit Khayangan or hike up the hill behind Sungai Penuh to get a beautiful view of the Kerinci valley from Mt. Kerinci in the north, to Lake Kerinci in the south.

In the late afternoon, head to Bukit Sentiong on the edge of town for the grilled corn stands and a nice view of Sungai Penuh and the Kerinci valley at sunset.

In the evening, visit Pasar Malam, the carnival-like night market, to eat Martabak, Sate, and other lovely street foods.

Drive up to Bukit Tapan at night for some wildlife spotlighting

Back to Hotel..

Day 4 – Kerinci Lake and Lempur Village

In the morning Visit the lively Pasar, or wet/dry market, in the center of town. Get some Sarabi and other goodies for breakfast.

head to the village of Pulau Tengah on the edge of Kerinci Lake. Meet up with some fisherman there for some canoe rides and to watch/participate with them as they fish.

Stop for lunch at one of the restaurants that sits atop or next to the lake, Don’t forget to pick up some Dendeng Batokok, grilled beef strips from heaven native to the area.

Head further south to the hills around Lempur to see traditional house.

Explore the village of Lempur and the nearby lake of Danau Lingkat to take a ride on the bamboo rafts, see The Nepenthes and enjoy the scenery.

Head to the village of Lempur and meet your host family

In the evening, follow a local honey hunter as they harvest honey from wild Indonesian honeybees.

Meet up with your host family in Lempur and turn in for the night.

Day 5 – Lempur Village

·After breakfast, Visit an English class at the local high school in the village.

Head further south to the hills around Lempur to see cinnamon farmers at work and or Cinnamon Process.

head to the rice fields to watch the farmers plant and harvest the Lempur heirloom rice Beras Payo. Participate if you want to get your hands dirty!

lunch at one of the Local restaurants

Explore the village other highland farms in the area that produce Tomatto, potatoes, chilis, etc.

Visit the house handicrafts from bamboo and lern how to make.

Head back to your homestay for dinner together with your family.

In the evening, visit art galleries of traditional dance, and you can also join and lern for dancing with them..